Report: Newcastle United are the favourites to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley

Newcastle United are the short priced 2/1 favourites to sign Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley with BetVictor.

Hanley has been linked with a range of Championship clubs this summer, with Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County both said to be leading the race by The Sun.

However, the odds suggest that Newcastle are set to beat both Wednesday and Derby to the defender.

Derby are listed as 3/1 second favourites to sign the Scotland international, while Wednesday are not even considered to be an option by the bookies.

Interestingly, Newcastle are yet to be linked with Hanley - but the odds are an intriguing development, which could suggest that Rafael Benitez’s side would like to sign the Scotland international.

Newcastle are known to be on the look out for a centre-back, with their current defensive options looking short.

Fabricio Coloccini is expected to exit Newcastle, while Steven Taylor has already departed, leaving only Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles competing for a place in the heart of the North East side’s defence.

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.